The secret technique Earth Grudge Fear and the Sharingan were tempting rewards.
But Kazuki wasn't the type to run.
He wasn't a rat.
As the sea surged and the bridge began to splinter under the crushing waves, Kazuki immediately formed hand seals.
"Wood Release — Tree Binding Eternal Burial!"
Originally, this jutsu used vine-like saplings to bind an enemy before growing into massive trees that crushed them beneath the trunk.
But Kazuki redirected it.
Instead of targeting an opponent, the trees erupted from the bridge itself.
Thick trunks burst upward, wrapping around the steel structure, reinforcing it like living pillars.
The collapsing bridge stabilized instantly.
Rin, Terumi, and Mikoto stared wide-eyed as enormous trees intertwined with the bridge.
Their eyes sparkled.
Kazu is amazing…
Sensei is incredible…
He's so cool…
Even the others felt their panic ease.
As long as he stood there—
They felt safe.
High above, the Third Mizukage narrowed his eyes.
"In an environment without natural soil… and yet such powerful Wood Release?"
"Is he truly the First Hokage reborn?"
During the First Five Kage Summit, the Third Mizukage had been a bodyguard to the First Mizukage.
He had seen Hashirama Senju with his own eyes.
Now, as he looked at Kazuki—
The figures overlapped in his memory.
For a moment, unease stirred in his chest.
But then he thought of Zetsu.
And of that old man behind the scenes.
His expression steadied.
As long as this boy lives… Konoha will inevitably fall into internal chaos.
Kazuki also noticed the black-and-white figure beside the Mizukage.
Zetsu.
So this really was Uchiha Madara's scheme.
Of course it was.
"You all go."
"I'll hold him off."
Kazuki spoke calmly.
Mikoto immediately protested.
"Kazu-kun! Take Terumi and retreat!"
Haruno Akira stepped forward too.
"Lord Kazuki, you're Konoha's future. We'll buy time!"
Before he could respond—
The ocean roared again.
Massive water pillars twisted into dragons midair.
"Water Release — Water Dragon Bullet!"
Dozens of water dragons surged forward at once.
This wasn't ordinary scale.
Under the Third Mizukage's control, the technique was monstrous.
Haruno froze.
Completely overwhelmed.
Kazuki formed seals again.
"Wood Release — Wood Ingot Wall!"
A massive curved wooden barrier erupted before them.
BOOM!
The water dragons slammed into it.
The entire bridge shook violently.
Seawater splashed across everyone's clothes.
Kazuki spoke evenly.
"If you stay, you'll just die."
"There's no point in that."
"If I go all out, I might hurt you."
"Leave."
He created shadow clones instantly.
Each one grabbed students and retreated at high speed.
Mikoto gritted her teeth.
"Kazu… come back safely."
The Third Mizukage smiled coldly.
"Oh? None of you are escaping."
Kazuki vanished—
And reappeared directly in front of him.
"Your opponent is me."
Before the Mizukage could react—
He was blasted backward.
But suddenly—
White figures began crawling from the bridge.
From the sea.
From both ends.
White Zetsu.
Thousands.
They surrounded everyone.
Even on the mainland side—
The path was blocked.
Rin grabbed Kazuki's sleeve, nearly crying.
"Sensei…"
Obito's eyes reddened.
Even Kakashi frowned.
"We can still retreat together."
Terumi clutched Kazuki's clothing tightly.
Before Mikoto could speak—
Kazuki cut her off.
"Mikoto. Akira."
"The kids are in your hands."
His shadow clone stepped forward and formed seals rapidly.
"Wood Release — Wood Dragon Technique!"
"Wood Release — Tree Binding Eternal Burial!"
Massive wooden dragons erupted, smashing through ranks of White Zetsu.
Trees burst upward, crushing dozens at a time.
A path opened.
"Go!"
They hesitated—
But obeyed.
Then Kazuki's real body formed one final seal.
"Wood Release — Deep Forest Emergence!"
The earth cracked violently.
The bridge foundation shattered.
Towering trees exploded upward from beneath the structure.
With a thunderous roar—
Half the steel bridge collapsed into the sea.
White Zetsu fell screaming into the waves.
On the far side, the remaining Zetsu could only stare—
As the cliff transformed into a dense forest of towering trees and blooming toxic flowers.
The battlefield had been rewritten in seconds.
Meanwhile.
Konoha.
Uzumaki compound.
"Four Symbols Seal!"
Kushina pressed her palm against a plump pink pig.
A glowing seal spread across its belly.
"It worked! Grandma Mito!"
Mito Uzumaki smiled faintly.
"Well done. Now undo it and try again."
The pig squealed.
It was one of the Uzumaki clan's domesticated summon beasts, used for seal training.
Thick skin.
Hard to injure.
Nearby, a larger porpoise-like summon dozed lazily — ancestor of the one that would later accompany Tsunade and Shizune.
Kushina beamed.
"Again!"
She had finally mastered the Four Symbols Seal.
Soon—
She would master the Uzumaki sealing arts completely.
At least in sealing—
She'd surpass Kazuki.
And Grandma Mito had said…
Once she mastered them—
She could get married.
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
Kazu…
Come back safe.
"I'll be waiting."